Archived Daily Devotionals

I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed. ~ Unknown.

Scripture:
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11 (NIV)

Saints of God, so often when things are going wrong in our lives, we don’t want to praise God. All we want to do is tell God all about our troubles. Our prayers tend to become more selfish and self-centered.

We have no problem asking or telling God what we want. However, too often we fail to give God praise or thanks for the things that are going right in our lives. We forget the most important aspect of prayer, Praise and adoration.

The greatest commandment that was given to man tells us to “love the Lord, thy God will all thy heart and will all thy soul and with all thy mind.” Praise and worship is one way to show God just how much we love Him and what He means to us.

When we learn to praise God in our bad times, we are opening the door so that He can show up. He becomes our light in darkness. He will give us the strength and the comfort that we need to make it through.

Remember, if you praise Him, He will come.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Lord, sometimes I try to pray and the words won't come. I toss and turn and feel nothing. My mind is dry, my heart is dull, and my soul longs for life. Hear my silent cry, my God, hear me. Breathe on us Lord renewing a right spirit within us. Even in our times of sorrow, we praise Your holy name. Lord, open our eyes and give us a discerning spirit, so that we may recognize the tricks of the evil one. Help us Lord to recognize the things and the people who are important in our lives. Not the material things that we tend to scramble after, but the greatest give ever given to us; Your son, Jesus Christ. Praise God! Keep us Lord. Hide us Lord, under the wings of Your salvation. Have mercy Lord, and help us to remember to put on the whole armor of God this and every day. We love You lord, and we praise Your name. In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

It's okay to get angry with God. He can take it. ~ Regina Brett

Scripture:
Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash, so that you vent your rage against God and pour out such words from your mouth? Job 15:12-13 (New International Version)

A few years ago, I received a series of quotes from a very dear friend. The quote noted above, immediately caught my attention. As I read it, I was immediately convicted. Yes, right now I am angry with God. This isn’t the first time this emotion has surfaced. I have gotten angry with Him about a lot of things.

You see, sometimes life can seem so unfair. We do everything we think God wants us to do and still, bad things happen. In our anger; our first response it to question God. Why? When we don’t get the answers that we want, we become angry. We get mad. We sometimes turn that anger towards God for allowing our suffering. The key to getting over this type of anger is not to hold on to it.

As I have mentioned before, sometimes suffering is a necessary process in order for our faith to grow. We don’t want it, don’t like it and often will fight against it. Sometimes it’s necessary to get not only our attention, but also the attention of others around us. And sometimes it will force us to have “that” conversation with God we may have been neglecting to have.

As a Christian there will be times when you may become angry with God. Abraham did, Job did, Daniel did and even Jesus cried out in anguish as he hung on the cross that fateful day, “about the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 (New International Version)

Sometimes is feels as though God has turned His back on us. But know this, even in the midst of suffering, He will never leave us nor forsake us if we would just put our trust in Him.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Merciful Lord of life, I lift up my heart to You in my suffering, and ask for your comforting help. I know that You would withhold the thorns of this life, if I could attain eternal life without them. So, I throw myself on your mercy, resigning myself to this suffering. Grant me the grace to bear it and to offer it in union with your sufferings. No matter what suffering may come my way, let me always trust in You. Amen.

Remember, “Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Scripture:
He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, Mark 6:48-51 (NIV).

Just about everyone that I know is going through, or has gone through some type of storm. Sometimes the storms are of a financial nature. Or they may be storms in their relationships, in their homes, on their jobs, or in their bodies. Sometimes the storms may even be in their relationship with God.

No matter who you are, what you do for a living, your standing in the community, your marital status, you will go through a storm. It is inevitable. Since everyone has to go through the storm, the best thing we can do about it is learn from it. Only you can choose what you will learn from your personal storm.

Storms have the ability to show us what our weaknesses and needs are. Maybe the lesson is humility. Maybe the lesson is learning that we are not all that we think we are. Storms have a way of bringing us closer to God.

Sometimes when we are shaken up and tossed about, then and only then will we reach out for God’s unchanging hand.


Prayer:
Lord, as I am going through my own personal storm, I come to the realization that You see my struggles. You are there even when I can’t see You. You watch over me and are just waiting for me to call to You. Lord, forgive for panicking and becoming afraid when my storms begin to toss me about. Lord, You have said that all I have to do is call on the name of Jesus. He is always there to rescue me from the storms of life. I know that I must go through my storms because it is necessary for me to recognize and worship You. The storms reveal all that is hidden within and around me. Lord, I choose to learn from my storms, no matter what the lesson may be. I accept every storm in my life because without them, I would forget that I need You each and everyday. I understand that the storms are sometimes necessary for me to see what You are doing in my life. As I recall the words to the song, “His Eye in on the Sparrow”, I remember that Your word that tells me “do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” So I must learn that even in my storms, that I have no worries for You see my struggles. Thank you Lord for reminding me that You would never leave me nor forsake me. I come blessing and uplifting the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. It is in His precious name that I submit my prayers. Amen.

Remember, It is the still, small voice that the soul heeds, not the deafening blasts of doom. ~ William Dean Howells

Scripture:
Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 (New King James Version)

The prophet Elijah had a personal relationship with God. God often spoke to Elijah and commanded him to do great things in His name. In the above passage, Elijah was running from Jezebel, after he had torn down her altars and killed her prophets in the name of the Lord. He then fled to the wilderness and went into hiding, fearing for his life.

Our all knowing God already knew what Elijah was running from, but asked him anyway, what was he doing. It was during this meeting that God, told him to find Elisha who became his servant and would one day, take his place.

The Lord, our God, is capable of many great things. So often when we are seeking him, we look for the “Big” sign. We want him to perform great miracles for us that we, ourselves can see. There are several instances in the bible that tell of him speaking in a booming, loud voice. However, sometimes, He just whispers the answer to our problem.

We must learn not to look for the “Big” sign, but rather to listen for His still small voice.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father, may we always hide Your word in our hearts. Father, may we learn to be still, listen and hear Your still small voice. Father God, help us to learn to be obedient to Your word. Your word, which is the same today, yesterday, and forever word. Your Word, that spoke the world into existence. Your Word, that sooths our souls when nothing else can. We come thanking You today for Your word. We come thanking You today, for Your hedge of protection. We come giving You our love and adoration for all that You do for us and our loved ones. But most of all we thank You for the greatest gift that could ever be given. The gift of Your son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we just want to say thank You for Your word. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian. ~ A.W. Tozer

Scripture:
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2

Recently I had a discussion with a friend who is still a fairly new Christian, about his breakup with his longtime girlfriend. You see, every time his girlfriend would become angry with him, she would start quoting scripture to him.

He told me this angered him for two reasons. The first one being, it made him feel less than who he was as a Christian, because he didn't always understand what she was saying to him. And secondly, it made him feel less than the man that God wanted him to be.

This disturbed me for a number of reasons. You see saints; I saw so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ in this young lady. Most of us tend to forget that everyone is not at the same level in their spiritual walk. Just because someone can read the word of God, doesn't mean they understand what is being said. That is why we have church leaders, like our pastors, to help us understand the word of God and how to apply it to our daily lives.

Secondly, this woman was using the word of God as a weapon against someone who was a part of the body of Christ. The word of God should never be used to cause another believer harm. This does nothing to edify or glorify Him. In situations like this, you could cause a new believer in the word, to turn away from God even before they get the chance to know Him.

I am not saying that we shouldn't use the word of God in our daily conversations, but rather, if a person may not seem to understand what that word means, we must take the time to explain it. We must never use the word, to hinder another, but rather to help them grow in faith and grace. We must never turn the word of God into a stumbling block in someone's Christian Walk.

Allow the word of God to lead someone to Christ, not turn them away.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father, bind our tongues so that we may not cause our brothers or sisters harm. Help us Lord, to be careful of what we say, especially when using Your word. Father, I pray that the words out of my mouth would be acceptable to You this day. Help us Lord, to become the light that draws others to You, not turn them away. Father God, we come once again standing in the prayer gap for our loved ones. So many need so much and we cannot begin to know each individual need. But we know You know. Father, we ask that You would magnify Your presence in the lives of everyone represented here today. We bind every sickness, every disease, every situation where strife exists, everything that is not of You; in the lives of our brothers and sisters who stand in the need of prayer today. In the name of Jesus, we rebuke the evil one and will give him no glory this day! Thank You lord for Your saving grace. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead. ~ Les Brown

Scripture:
Then the LORD replied: Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous will live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:2-4 (New International Version)

This new year has been full of setbacks for me. My hours at work have been cut due to the economy. My computer broke down and my youngest son who started out the school year with a bang, was recently suspended. Each incident upset me, but I persevered. I still have some income coming in while I look for another job, I am still able to write using a borrowed computer and I am forcing my son to deal with his failure.

I realize that sometimes setbacks happen as a means of distraction. They sometimes happen to deter you from your goals and plans. What some of you may or may not know is that my second novel is due to be released soon. I have been overwhelmed with trying to finish it and work on promoting both it and my first novel. My writings are very important to me because it is the accumulation of my dream. I have worked very hard to get here and I refuse to be deterred.

You see, often times we may be at the very edge of our breakthroughs and something happens to set us back. We become frustrated and thus lose sight of our goals. We lose the fortitude to push past the setback and that’s when doubts begin to manifest.

However, I see my setbacks for what they are; a trick of the devil to try to prevent me from stepping into my victory. My God has brought me too far for me to give up now.

You see, setbacks are only setups for the real victories!

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, I’ve come too far by faith to give up now. Satan has no victory here. I have been given the keys to the kingdom and I unlock the windows of heaven and allow Your blessings to rain down in my life. Lord, I am getting ready for my breakthrough and I know that I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. Protect and guide me on this journey. Help each and every one reading this prayer to know those setbacks are just setups for Your power and Your presence to be manifested in our lives. Thank You for our victories. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal ~ Thomas More

Scripture:
When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” John 5:6-8 (New King James Version)

Earlier this week, I talked about being broken and how some of us do not realize that we are. However once we realize that we have something within us that just isn’t right, it begs the question; Do you want to be made whole?

Today I want to talk about the story of the invalid who was lying by the pool at Bethesda. As Jesus approached the sick man, He asked, “Do you want to be made well?” Jesus asked the question to determine if the man had given up hope for a miracle or if it was still his desire to be healed. Jesus knew that when some people are sick for a long time, they sometimes become so accustomed to the illness that they may no longer care if they are healed or not.

As I read this story, it prompted me to ask myself, “Do I want to be made well?”

Now you may ask am I sick? No my friends. I am not sick in a physical sense, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have sickness in other areas of my life. I have experienced sickness in my relationships with others, sickness in my finances and even sickness in how I relate to God.

I can relate to that lame man lying by the pool. So close to my miracle or breakthrough for so many years, but not quite able to reach out and touch it. This story made me wonder, “Have I gotten so used to my ailments that I have become accustomed to them, therefore, no longer expecting to be healed?”

Jesus isn’t looking for our excuses. He has already given us the power and the authority to pick up our own beds and walk. So saints of God, stop lying there on your beds of affliction.

Jesus is telling you, PICK UP YOUR BED AND WALK!

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, I come before the throne of grace asking that You would forgive me for my unbelief. I have been in the pit of despair for so long that I may have become accustomed to being here. Lord, I don’t want to be here so I ask that You would take my hand and lead me to hallowed ground. Father, my eyes have been opened and now I see. I now ask that You would open my spiritual eyes as well. Help me to move forward with assistance of Your grace and mercy. Thank You Father for new revelations. Thank You Lord, for your Word. I thank You most of all for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in His name I pray. Amen.

How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in? Oscar Wilde

Scripture:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Saints, How many of you realize that you are broken? We appear to be alright on the outside, but something within us, just isn't right. Now many of you are probably saying, " there is nothing wrong with me". Well, I hate to tell you this, but we all have some sort of issue.

Some struggle with anger, others with envy, and still others struggle with controlling their tongues. I am not accusing anyone of things that I know nothing about, but I just want others to realize that none of us is perfect and that each of us has something that we struggle with almost daily.

I smoke. Now some may not think that this is a big issue, but I know that my addiction to cigarettes is not pleasing to God. I am not keeping his temple clean and holy and I constantly struggle with this. I ask God each and every day to search me. My heart, my mind and my spirit. I ask that he would remove those things from me that are not of him. But, I still have to do my part.

What about you?

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Oh yes, fix me, Jesus, fix me. Fix me so that I can walk on a little while longer. Fix me so that I can pray on just a little bit harder. Fix me so that I can sing on just a little bit louder. Fix me so that I can go on despite the pain, the fear, the doubt, and yes, the anger, I ask not that You take this cross from me, only that You give me the strength to continue carrying it onward 'til my dying day. Oh, fix me, Jesus, fix me. Amen.

Remember, Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone else's life. ~ Kobi Yamada

Scripture:
but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the only daughter of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines praised her. Song of Solomon 6:9 (New International Version)

As I think back to my childhood, I realize that many people thought me to be a bit strange. I was the type of child who would rather spend time with books than with people. Part of my reasoning was that books were my friends. Not so with all people.

My books didn’t judge me but rather offered a safe place of solace from what could be a cold and cruel world. I could find refuge in the pages of my books or travel to far away places that the other children had never heard of. My books could make me laugh, cry, and they even caused me to see the world outside of my own little neighborhood.

Even now, as I find myself in the throws of middle age, some people still think me to be a little strange. My family included. You see, I have moved beyond just reading books to writing them as well. I can often be found sitting in from of my computer into the wee hours of the morning, filling page after page with stories that make me laugh, make me cry, and see the world beyond my little own neighborhood.

And to make matters even worse, most of what I write is about God. Even my oldest son has asked why would I study religion as apposed to getting a degree in something more marketable like business or computer technology. He thinks I am wasting my time on a degree that won’t pay me as much as the others mentioned.

My answer to my son and to others is this; All of my life I have tried to please everyone else. My parents, my friends and even my associates. I had to reach the ripe old age of forty-something before I realized that the only ones I had to please, were God and myself.

So my friends, I embrace my uniqueness. It’s what make me happy. I urge you all to discover your uniqueness and embrace it as I have.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, I come before the throne of grace celebrating my uniqueness. Thank You Father for giving me the wisdom to recognize the gifts that You have bestowed upon me. Thank You Lord, for allowing me to celebrate You in the things that I do. Lord, I pray that someone will read this message and see this prayer and realize that there is great rejoicing and celebrating in uplifting the name of Jesus. We are not placed here on this earth to please others, our mission is to please and serve only You. Thank You Father God for that honor. Glory Hallelujah. In the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Remember, You have two hands. One to help yourself, the second to help others. ~Unknown

Scripture:
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30

Today I want to talk about standing in the gap for someone else. Sometimes things happen in life that for whatever reason, we cannot handle on our own. We have to call on others to stand in our stead or stand in the gap on our behalf.

James 5:14 says; Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. There are times when even your pastor or church leader will say; “Pray for me.”

The word for the day says that the Lord looked around at a corrupt world. He saw how neighbor treated neighbor and was not pleased. He looked for someone to stand up for his brothers and sisters and couldn't find any. He saw how those who had mistreated those who had not. He became angry at what he saw and because he couldn't find anyone to stand up for the people and all the wrong they had done he would pour out his wrath and consume the people with his fiery anger for all the wrong they had done.

But you know what? Today we have someone who stands in the gap for us even when we are wrong. He is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We who are in the body of Christ know and realize that we are not in this thing alone. We have fresh grace and mercy because Jesus Christ died and was raised from the dead, so that he would always be there to stand in the gap for sinners like you and me.
Thank God for The One who stands for you and for me!

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Lord, we come before the throne of grace to thank You for loving us enough that You sacrificed Your only begotten son who stands in the gap and intercedes on our behalf. We thank You for the gift of eternal life that has been given to us through the shedding of his blood. Thank You Lord, for the only perfect gift, Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Remember, “God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.” ~ Unknown

Scripture:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Saints, as I rode to work this morning, I observed the situation around me. There were accidents on the highways, dirt and debris strewn about because of the falling rain, and people running for cover. Saints, I am reminded that rain is a necessary process in the cycle of life. You see, it's springtime and the rain is needed to wash away the debris of winter and prepare the ground for the coming planting season.

Sometimes though, we can get a little too much rain. The rain may come in torrents, washing away those things that are freshly planted or the old foliage whose roots are no longer strong enough to hold it in place.

How strong are your roots? Are you new to the faith and have not yet developed strong enough roots in Christ to hold you in place when the storms of life come along? Or are you so old and set in your spiritual life that you no longer gain the nourishment from the word that keeps your roots healthy enough to stay firmly planted in the rain?

So again Saints, I ask, Can You Stand the Rain?

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Our Father which art in Heaven, Hollowed it be thy name. May those things that You have predestined in our lives come to fruition according to thy will and thy tender mercies. Oh Lord, we are weak, but You are strong. Touch us Lord, strengthening us for the coming storms in our lives. Lord, some of us are in the midst of our storm even as we pray. Magnify Your presence in our lives that we may gain the fortitude to stand, be strong, and hold on even when it's seems that we may be washed away at any given moment. Hide us Lord, under the wings of Your protection when it begins to seem like our roots are not strong enough to withstand even one more drop of rain. May we always know when to seek Your guidance and protection in the midst of our personal storms. Now Lord, help us to remember that the rain and the storms don't last always. But that there is sunshine and joy in the coming morning. Father, continue to touch and bless Your saints this morning. Extending just a little more grace for those who are need this morning. Keep our troops safe and their families wrapped securely in the knowledge that You are with them even in the midst of the desert. Father God we give You praise, adoration, and all of our hearts this day. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Remember, Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons. ~Ruth Ann Schabacker

Scripture:
I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 1 Corinthians 7:7

Saints, has there ever been a time when you became jealous of someone else? Did they have something that you desired? Money, looks, prestige?

Do you ever wish that you had someone else’s talent? Maybe their husband or wife? Do you ever feel jealous because someone else who didn’t work as hard as you got the promotion or acknowledgement?

Sometimes, it will appear that life isn’t fair. We work so hard at our relationships, in our careers and raising our families and more times than not, it seems we just can’t get ahead. We look around at other people in our lives and they seem to be doing so much better than us, with little or no effort.

Well, today I am not going to sugar coat it. Everyone is not created equal. There are specific reasons for it all. Some by our own design and some are according to God’s plan.

God has a desire and a plan for each of our lives. It doesn’t always coincide with what we want, but rather, what God wants for us. God knows what we can handle and what we can’t.

Our gifts, both spiritually and in the natural, are all from Him. They are meted out according to his will. So remember, this, don’t be jealous of what others have accomplished or have gained in this world.

God has a special gift, just for you.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, we come before the throne of grace to thank You for what You have given us. Lord, I know there are times when I feel that I deserve more, but I stop and realize that more isn’t always what’s best for me. I am reminded that I have so much because of You. I have the gift of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. As the seasons change and the nights give way to daybreak, I am reminded just how blessed I truly am. I have a home, food, friends, and most of all, the gift of love. Love of family and friends. I have hope for tomorrow and I have the gift of salvation. I realize that the things of this world are just for a season. I will rejoice in my season, for I know that the harvest is near. Thank You Father, for my gifts. Thank You Lord, for my health, my strength and my life. Thank you most of all for Christ Jesus, it is in His name that we pray. Amen.

God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry its weight. ~ Reggie White

Scripture:
How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Habakkuk 1:2-3

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. In my distress I called to the LORD ; I cried to my God for help.

God Said, "My Grace is Sufficient".

But Father; Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD , do not delay.

God said, "My Mercy is Everlasting".

But Lord, I'm Begging, Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. "Do not close your ears to my cry for relief." Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.

I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Lord, I cannot endure any longer. Life is too hard, my trials and tribulations are too great. My suffering is overwhelming.

He said "I will refine you like silver and test you like gold. You will call on my name and I will answer you; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Praise be to the LORD , for he has heard my cry for mercy. God, who helps me, who blesses me with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below. is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Great is thy Faithfulness, O'Lord. Thank You Father for trials and tribulations. Thank You Lord, for comforting me when the tears begin to flow. Thank You Lord, for blessing me and keeping me. Lord, we ask that You would continue to hide us under the wings of Your salvation. When we falter, catch us. When we want to give up, don't let go. Thank You Father for Your faithfulness. We love You. We praise You. We exalt and uplift Your name. Amen.

If you want to fly at a higher altitude, you will need to check your "baggage.”

Scripture:
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2 (New International Version)

Have you ever packed for a trip and over packed? Or, worse yet, you try to save a few dollars by attempting to take all of your luggage onboard with you? Sometimes, this is not possible and you will be forced to check your bags anyway.

Periodically, we hear news reports about airplanes that crashed because they were overloaded. Even though the FAA has set certain guidelines on weight capacity for all aircrafts, there are those who think they can ignore them and still be able to soar up into the skies. However, what they soon discover is that their flights will begin to experience difficulties and their aircrafts will not respond in ways that they should.

Unfortunately, many of us don’t adhere to some of those same guidelines when it comes to our own lives. We continually over pack and drag the same old luggage around with us from place to place. You know what luggage I am talking about. Disappointment, anger, low self-esteem, and the list goes on and on.

What many of us often fail to realize is that so often we allow our past hurts, our sins, negative relationships, negative situations, and negative people to climb into the bags that we carry with us each and every day.

We allow circumstance and situations to become a weight that we put in the bags that we call our lives. We allow fear and doubt to become like a rock around our necks. We allow our lack of faith to become a heavy object that we place in the bags of our lives that we continue to carry.

In order for each of us to be able to soar high and reach that rock that is higher than I, we must first learn to, check our baggage.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father, we come to You this day in humble submission. We ask Lord, that You would help us to realize and recognize to put down those things that are weighing us down and preventing us from truly following Your word. Lord, we come this day placing our all on the altar. We come sacrificing ourselves as in the days of old. We have nothing to truly give You, but ourselves. Help us to become a living sacrifice. Allow something that we may do or say this day to encourage someone to seek Your face and Your word. Help us Lord to walk just a little closer to thee. Father, we come thanking You that You have given us this new day with new opportunities to draw nearer to thee. We give You praise, honor, and glory. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Don’t focus on what you’re going through; focus on where you’re going to! ~ Unknown

Scripture:
For the Lord your God will go with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. Deuteronomy 20:4

Recently as I sat church listening to my Pastor speak a word, I was moved by what he had to say. He told the story of how King David had returned from battle and found that his home had been conquered, burnt to the ground and his wives and children taken into captivity. Those who had gone into battle with him were angry with King David because they felt that if they had not been away in battle with him, they would have been at home to protect their own families. David began to experience a spirit of defeat.

At first he got angry and just wanted to give up. But then he went to God and asked if he should go after what had been taken from him and get it back. God’s answer was yes; he would overtake them and get back all that was his.

Just like King David many of us will return home and find that the enemy has taken or destroyed all that we have. It could be in the form of a devastating financial lost, the breakup of our marriages, or even the loss of our relationship with God himself. It is at these times that the devil will move in for the kill. Remember, his job is to kill, steal, and destroy.

It is at these times that we may experience division with our loved ones, a spirit of defeat, discouragement and distraction from what our God given purpose is. It is at these times when it’s okay to get mad and say “I’m mad and I’m not going to take it anymore.” In other words, there comes a time when it’s necessary to fight back.

There will be times in your live when you feel as though you have no control over your lives and that’s okay because it is at times like these when God can show up and show out. So often we will not be the one who has the last word regarding our situations. However, there is one who does and his name is Jehovah Jirah, my provider. Elohim, God of total power, and finally Jehovah Nissi my banner who goes before me. The key is being able to know when you are weak. It is at those times when God will be your strength.

If we would just learn to let go and let God have his way.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, I come kneeling at the throne of grace humbly asking that You would hear my prayer. Lord, I realize that there are times in my life when I wanted to do things my way and because of my stiff neck, I failed to surrender my will to Yours and I stumbled and faltered. Lord, I come before the altar of sacrificing admitting that I have not always done things Your way and because of that, I have lost my way and all that You have given to me. Lord, I ask that You would be my strength and my banner, leading me into battle to take back all that the devil has tried to steal from me. You are my strength and my stronghold. I surrender my will to Yours as I let go all of my problems and surrender them to you. For I am weak and I need Your strength to regain my rightful place in the kingdom. Lord, I thank You for my blessings and my breakthroughs. I thank You for not only what You have done but also what You are about to do in my life. I bless Your name Father as I give thanks for the one who intercedes on my behalf, Christ Jesus. It is in His name that I submit this prayer. Amen.

I have always believed that God never gives a cross to bear larger than we can carry. No matter what, he wants us to be happy, not sad. Birds sing after a storm. Why shouldn't we? ~ Rose F. Kennedy

Scripture:
And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27

Do you sometimes wonder why your life seems so hard? Do you ever wonder why it seems as though you go from one bad situation to the next? Do you ever wonder why it seems as though you are constantly under attack? Do you ever wonder why it seems as though you are living the word of God and going through, but you know people who know nothing about God's word and they seem to have everything?

Do you ever cry to out to God; "Why me Lord?" and he answers; "Why not you!"

One of the things that I like to share with new believers and share with those of you have been in the word for a very long time is this; When you were in the world and not in the word satan didn't care anything about you because he already had you. When you became a disciple of Christ you that's when he became concerned. That's when he started coming after you. That's when he started throwing everything he has at you.

Unfortunately, too many people think that once they accept Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior, life would get better. Too often we think that things aren't suppose to happen to us because we believe in the word of God. Too often we think that we aren't suppose to go through bad times, be sick, lose loved ones, suffer financially, have broken relationships and the list goes on and on.

If you look closely enough at the word of God it does tell you that each and every one of us will have our own cross to bear. Just like Jesus. Wait a minute, let me back up. Each and every Christian who has been charged with being one of his disciples, (and that is what every Christian should be, a disciple), will have their own cross to bear. Now while we are carrying our cross, satan will be throwing things, dropping bombs, creating chaos, troubling the waters and doing everything else to turn you away from God. He hates each and every one of us that much and wants to separate us from the love of God.

Satan knows that as long as we have God on our side, His Grace is sufficient. We can do all things through Christ Jesus. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. No weapon formed against us can prosper. The Lord will provide.

I don't know about you, but I praise God for my cross because I'd rather carry my cross here on earth as one of his disciples and spend eternity with him, than to be fooled into believing that I can have it all here on earth and then spend eternity in hell with satan.

Be Blessed.

Prayer:
El-Elyon, Most High God , El-Shaddia, Almighty God, El-Olam, Everlasting God, Father, Abba, You who are my everything. Lord, sometimes we get weary and tired. There are days when life seems more than we can bear. There are nights that my pillow is covered in tears and it seems as though no one cares. Father, I have hidden Your word in my heart. I dwell and meditate on Your word night and day. I thank You Lord for Your word that strengthens me. Lord, You have said we can do all things through Christ Jesus. You have told us that You are with us always, even until the end of times. You are in the fiery furnace with us, on our ship that is caught in the storm, and in the valley of death. We don't ask that You come into our hearts and lives, only that You magnify Your presence. Touch us today, our minds, our hearts, our spirits, our very souls. Keep us in perfect peace. Strengthen us once again. Father, when I grow weary from the weight of my cross, empower me and order my steps so that I may continue down the path that You have chosen. Thank You Father. Thank You Lord. For the one who first carried my cross, Christ Jesus in his name we pray. Praise God, Hallelujah, Amen.

Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power. ~ Clint Eastwood

Scripture:
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (New International Version)

As I often have the opportunity to talk to people who are successful in their chosen career or profession, I like to ask the question, what makes you good at what you do? More times than not their answers might surprise you. What I have discovered about many of those success stories is the willingness to constantly learn and improve upon their craft. They commit themselves to the task at hand which often times also include doing some tasks that they’d rather not do, but realize it is a necessary part of the process.

In my pursuit of being a writer I find one of the biggest obstacles I have to overcome is, me. You see, to put my thoughts down on paper and create a story actually takes a lot of self-discipline. I actually have to make a consorted effort to work at my craft. Trust me, if there was some way to just stick a tape-recorder inside my brain to capture the story, I would.

I am the first to admit that I am a procrastinator and can often find a myriad of others things to do when it’s time to write. However, what I have also discovered along the way is that if I want to be successful and be taken seriously in my pursuit of a writing career, I must establish some sort of self-discipline. And so it is with our Christian walk.

The world around us beckons to us to partake of a myriad of distracting things rather than developing into the disciples that God has called us all to be. We would rather partake of all the carnal pleasures that the world has to offer instead of committing ourselves to the task at hand and that is to make the effort to become more Christ-like.

Remember, self-discipline refers to the training that one gives one's self to accomplish our goals even though we would really rather be doing something else

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, so often we would rather choose the easy way out rather than commit to the task at hand, which includes serving You. So often our lives become so self-serving that we can no longer see Your vision for our lives. We tend to forget that it takes commitment and dedication to achieve our purpose and when we fail to do the right thing, we fail not only ourselves, but we also fail You. We oftentimes misuse free will as an excuse to not answer Your call. Forgive us Lord for failing You and for shortchanging ourselves. We sometimes forget that the world does not revolve around us and our needs. We fail to see that we have been ordained for a greater purpose and that purpose is You and Your Kingdom. Help me Lord, to learn to focus on You more and the world around me less. Help me Lord to all things in divine and proper order. But most of all Lord, help me to see the fallacies of my behavior and to recognize when my actions are not pleasing to You. I thank You Lord for divine revelations and for fresh grace and mercy. Thank You Father God for another chance to get in right. But thank You most of all for Your Son, Jesus Christ. It is in His name we pray. Amen.

Remember, forgiveness means letting go of the past. ~ Gerald Jampolsky

Scripture:
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19

Saints, why is it when something is going bad, we start thinking about all the bad that has happened in our past? Why is it that when we get upset with someone, we think about how they made us angry, in the past? Why is it that when we think we are failing, we think about all of the failures of our past?

Why is it that we often times remember the pain that old relationships have caused us when dealing with problems in our new relationships? Why is it that we can't forgive ourselves for our past and still beat ourselves up about mistakes that we made a long time ago?Saints, learn to leave the past where it belongs. In the past. Learn to forgive and move on. Learn to let go and move on. Learn to forgive yourselves for your past sins because God already forgave you the moment that you asked.

In today's word God speaks about letting go and seeing what he is doing in your lives right now! God's word speaks about how he is able to make a way in the desert and steams in the wasteland. In other words, he has the power to make a change in your lives no matter how desolate the situation seems to you if you would JUST LET IT GO AND LEAVE IT BEHIND!

But most of all, trust in him and look ahead and not behind.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
El Shaddai, You who are All Mighty, all Powerful, my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Father, help me to let go of my past and walk into my blessings of today. Lord, help me to let go of my sins of yesterday and embrace the forgiveness that You have in Your heart for me. Lord, I am weak. I seek Your strength and ask that You would help me to be still and listen to Your word so that I may be able to gather a renewed strength and purpose even in the wilderness. Lord, I am like Elijah, in a desert situation but know that my help and my blessings are still being provided by You. Thank You Lord. Lord, help me to let go and let God. Use me today Lord to be a blessing to someone else. Touch me Lord, just to let me know that You are still walking with me. Have mercy Lord, our needs and our afflictions are too many to name, but we know that You know what those needs are and we ask that You would bless us according to Your tender mercies. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus, in whose name we pray. Glory Hallelujah, Praise God, Amen.